CA1246706A - Electrical ornamentation system - Google Patents

Abstract

ELECTRICAL ORNAMENTATION SYSTEM

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE

A connector is disclosed which permits an electrically illuminated ornament or the like to be readily connected to a string of conventional light sockets. A first connection is provided which perferably is in the form of a conventional socket for receiving a lamp which is inserted in a grommet carried by an ornament. At the opposite end, contacts are mounted in a support member of insulating material to form a plug assembly arranged to fit within a conventional socket.
The construction is such as to accommodate various types and dimensions of sockets. A coupling element attaches the connector to the ornament and acts as both a retention device and as a heat sink for the miniature light, the coupling element having particular utility in an edge-lit ornament.

Description

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ELECTRICAL ORNAMENTATION SYSTEM

,,, , ., : .- ' -.: -This invention relates to electrical ornamentation and more particularly to a system for electrical energization of ornamental elements for Christmas trees or the like. The invention permits ornaments to be readily and quickly installed and electrically connected to a string of conventional light sockets. It also facilitates mounting of an ornamental element at a desired location on a Christmas tree or other receiving structure. It additionally provides for safe and reliable operation and, at the same time, the components required are readily and economically manufacturable.

sAcKGRouND OE T~E INVENTION
Electrified Christmas tree ornamentation has heretofore been available in a wide variety of styles, i ., .~

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shapes and sizes. Lights, hanging ornaments of all types and tree-top decorations have been a part of holiday decorations throughout the centuries. Typically, the lights are placed on a tree in long strands supplied from a common electrical source. The ornaments are then hung separately at random locations around the tree.

More recently, techni~ues have been devised for combining the functions of lights and ornaments. An early example of this are the so-called "'bubble lights" which ' 10 'became popular in the latë'40ls'and early '50's'. 'Other --proposals have been made for adding decoration to ' conventional light strings for holiday decorating purposes. The Pacini U.S. Patent No. 3,214,579, or example, discloses a system in which a central trunk line lS extends up the trunk of the tree and has a plurality of outlets therein into which electrical lights may be separately plugged. These lights may or may not have additional ornamentation.

A form of lighting that has become particularly popular in recent years involves use o.f the so-called "miniature" lights, wherein a series of small, low voltage lights of the incandescent type are strung in series around the tree. In lighting sets of this type, the electrical supply does not lie adjacent the trunk of the tree, but rather extends around the outer tips of the branches of the tree in the same region in which the lights are resting. Accessories to enhance the appearance and illu mination of these miniature lamps have been marketed in the form of stars, leaves or the like which 124~706 are designed to surround a lamp to be otherwise physically connected thereto.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention was evolved with the general S object of providing improved systems and devices for ornamentation of Christmas trees and the like.
, An important aspect of the invent on relates to the recognition of the problems with prior art arrangements and in the discovery of sources of such problems. One of the problems with prior art systems using conventional strings of lights is that it is difficult to physica].ly couple the light to an ornament and at the same time position the ornament in a desired location. Usually, it is necessary to make many adjustments in the position of the string of lights and in the position of the ornament in order to obtain a reasonably satisfactory result.

With the proposed arrangements involving the use of a central trunX line or the like, there are other problems. One important problem is that such systems are expensive and are not compatible with the conventional type of system in which lights are in a string, interconnected by flexible conductors.

Another problem is that with a central trunk line arrangement, there may be a great variation in distances between the trunk line and the desired position 1%4~7C)~;

of a light or of an ornament.
In accordance with this invention, an arrangement is provided which preserves all of the advantages of the conven-tional string light systems including the ready availability and relative low cost of such systems. At the same time, the arrangement of the invention permits an ornamental element or the like to be readily connected for supply of electrical current thereto and to be physically mounted in a desired location. The arrangement is very simple, involving the use of a connector which can be readily and economically manu-factured.
Thus, in accordance with an aspect of this invention, there is provided in combination:
a decorative ornament with an aperture therein for receiving an electrical lamp;
a connector cable assembly for electrical connection of said decorative ornament to a string of conventional sockets for miniature Christmas lights or the like, the connector cable assembly having means at one end adapted for electrically mating with a selected one of said sockets and having an electrical socket at an opposite end adapted to receive a miniature light; and coupling means for coupling said socket of said assembly to said ornament aperture comprising a hollow cylindrical outer portion for receiving and holding the connector socket and a hollow cylindrical inner portion for extending axially beyond one end of said outer portion .~ -4-"' lZ4~70~

and receiving said miniature light, said inner portion being adapted to mate with said ornament aperture and to hold said miniature light secured in said aperture, said coupling means being constructed of a heat conductive material.
There is also provided in accordance with another aspect of this invention, in combination:
a decorative ornament with an aperture therein for receiving an electrical lamp;
a connector cable assembly for electrical connection of said decorative ornament to a string of conventional sockets for miniature Christmas lights or the like, the connector assembly having means at one end adapted for electrically mating with a selected one of said sockets and having an electrical socket at an opposite end adapted to receive a miniature light; and coupling means for coupling said socket of said assembly to said ornament aperture comprising a hollow cylindrical outer portion for receiving and holding the connector socket and a hollow cylindrical inner portion for receiving said miniature light, said inner portion being adapted to mate with said ornament aperture and to hold said miniature light secured in said aperture, wherein said coupling means outer portion has a cylindrical outer wall and one end open to receive the connector socket, said outer wall having a plurality of slots therein extending parallel to the axis of the cylindrical outer portion and opening to said open end so 12~7(,`5 as to allow resilient flexure of said outer wall to accept and retain the connector socket.
There is further provided in accordance with another aspect of this invention a coupling element for attaching a conventional miniature Christmas light and its socket to a tree ornament which has an aperture for receiving said light, qaid coupling element comprising:
a hollow outer portion having a generally cylind-rical shape having a first end open to receive the light socket; and a hollow inner portion coupled to a coaxial with said outer portion and extending axially beyond one end of said outer portion, said hollow inner portion having a generally cylindrical shape and being sized to surround the miniature light itself;
said hollow inner portion having means for securely engaging said tree ornament aperture as it is inserted therein, and said element being of a metal material with a high heat conductivity.
There is also provided in accordance with another aspect of this invention an ornament coupling element for attaching a conventional miniature Christmas light and its socket to a tree ornament which has an aperture for receiving said light, said coupling element comprising:
a hollow outer portion having a generally cylindrical shape having a first end open to receive the light socket;
and a hollow inner portion coupled to and coaxial with said outer portion and having a generally cylindrical . -6 ~

124~;706 shape which is sized to surround the miniature light itself, said hollow inner portion having means for securely engaging said tree ornament aperture as it is inserted therein, wherein said outer portion has a peripheral cylindrical wall with slots formed therein which extend parallel to the axis of said element and are open to said open end of the cylindricai wall, said slots defining a plurality of resilient wall portions that flex outward to receive and engage the light socket as it is inserted into the open end of said outer portion.
There is further provided in accordance with another aspect of this invention an illuminated ornament for Christmas trees or the like com~rising:
a plate-like element of clear transparent material having portions thereof which are etched to randomly disperse light entering the edge of said element;
an electrical light source; and means for coupling said light source to the edge of said plate-like element so as to effect illumination of the etched portions thereof, said ornament further including a flexible connector cable having one end electrically coupled to said light source and the other end adapted for electrical insertion into one socket of a conventional miniature tree light set.

-6a-'7~i BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGURE 1 diagrammatically illustrates a tree having liqhted ornaments installed thereon in accordance with the invention;

FIGURE 2 illustrates the connection of one of the lighted ornaments to a string of light sockets, using a connector constructed in accordance with the invention;

: FIGURE 3 is a sectional: view taken substantïally along line III-III of Figure 2, illustrating the connection between the connector and the ornament;

FIGURE 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 but illustrating the connection between a different type of ornament and a connector of the invention;

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along line V-V of Figure 2, illustrating the connection between the connector of the invention and a light socket;

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view taken substantially along line VI-VI of Figure 5;

FIGURE 7 is a plan view of one of two blades of the connection shown in Figures 5 and 6;

FIGURE 8 is an exploded view illustrating a base member and a plug assembly of the connection shown in Figures 5 and 6, prior to assembly thereof;

'706 FIGURE 9 is a view illustrating the components of Figure 8 at an intermediate point in the assembly thereof;

FIGURE 10 illustrates the components of Figure 8 after assembly;

FIGURE 11 illustrates an assembly of the plug assembly of the connector and a base member of smaller size than that illustrated in Figures 5, 6 and 8-10;
;,, . ', ' - ,~ ' , ' . , , , - . ., . . , : ' ~, FIGURE 12 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the coupling element between the lamp socket and the ornament;

EIGURE 13 is a cross-sectional view of the coupling element of Figure 12 in combination with an ornament and socket assembly;

FIGURE 14 is a plan view of the coupling element of Figure 12 in combination with a decorative edge-lit ornament; and FIGURE 15 is a perspective view of an alternate form of ornament for use with the connector element of Figure 2 and the coupling element of Figure 12.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Reference numeral 10 in Figure 1 generally designates a tree having lighted ornaments 11 and 12 ~Z4~706 installed thereon in accordance with the invention. The ornaments ll and 12 are connected to sockets 13 and 14 through a pair of connectors lS and 16 constructed in accordance with the invention. The sockets 13 and 14 are S in a conventional string of light sockets 17, shown wrapped around the tree 10 in conventional fashion, conventional lights 18 being mounted in other sockets of the string 17.

.,, , . .,. . , As.shown in Figure 2, the.connector 15 includes a 1exib,1e elongated cable.20 which, as shown,' is formed by a twisted pair of conductors 21 and 22. A connector unit 23 is provided at one end of the-cable 20 for connection to the ornament 11 and a connector unit 24 is provided at the opposite end of the cable 20 for lS ,connection to the socket 13, socket 13 being connected to conductors 25 and 26 of the light string 17.

The connector unit 23 in the illustrated embodiment has a construction like that of a conventional socket. It includes a hollow housing 28 of insulating material with a pair of contacts 29 and 30 mounted therein at diametrically opposed positions, such contacts 29 and 30 being connected to the cable conductors 21 and 22 which extend from one end of the housing 28. At the oppo~ite end, the housing is arranged to receive a lamp base member 32 of insulating material which i9 hollow and which is arranged to receive an end portion of a lamp 33. The base member 32 includes a collar portion 34 which provides a shoulder arranged to abut the end of the connector housing 28. A pair of terminal wires 35 and 36 extend from the '706 lamp and through the inner end of the base member 32.
Such terminal wires 35 and 36 are bent back on the outside of the base member 32, to engage the contacts 29 and 30 when the lamp 33 together with the base member 32 are inserted into the connector housing 28. The base member 32 includes a spacer portion 38 which is disposed between the terminal wires 35 and 36 to prevent contact therebetween. In effect, the housing has an end wall with two spaced openings through which the wires 35 and 36 extend.

To connect to the ornament 11, the lamp 33 is inserted through a resilient grommet 39 which is installed in an opening in an inwardly projecting wall portion 40 of a neck portion o the ornament 11. Ornament 11 is hollow and may be transparent or translucent with suitable designs applied thereto or impressed in the material of the ornament. The terminal end of the neck portion has an opening 41 o larger size than the opening in the wall 40, with a diameter such as to limit tilting movement of the ornament 11 relative to the connector and lamp assembly.
Preferably, the ornament 11 is formed in two parts which mate at a plane through the axis of the lamp and connector assembly and which are snapped together or otherwise secured together after installation of the grommet 39.
The ornament 11 may, of course, include additional parts and may, for example, include front and rear lens elements which may be snapped into or otherwise secured to the aforementioned mating parts.

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Figure 4 shows the conneotion between the connector 16 and the ornament 12. The conrlector 16 is substantially identical to the connector 15 and at one end it has a connector unit which includes a socket 43 with a lamp 44 mounted therein by means of a base member 45. The ornament 12, as illustrated, is in the form of a plate which is preferably a clear transparent acrylic ~aterial, formed with a suitable design which may be etched therein with a metallic foil covering part of a back surface thereof. A generally bell-shaped metal fixture 46 is ,, .. . : , ......... . . ..... .. . . . ....... . .
clamped onto an upper neck portion of the o~nament 12 and it includes top wall portion 47 having an opening in which a resilient grommet 48 is mounted, to receive the lamp 44.

The grommet 48, as well as the grommet 39, may be of a polypropylene material of a shape and size as generally disclosed in Figures 3 and 4. An alternative and preferred form of coupling element is disclosed in Figures 12-15 and discussed more fully below. In this form the coupling element is made of metal or other heat conductive material and acts as both a clamp for the light socket and as a heat sink for the light bulb itself.

In either the embodiment of Figure 4 or the embodiment of Figures 13 and 14 the light from the lamp 44 is projected downwardly into the transparent material of the ornament 12 to illuminate the design thereof. As such, the designs of these two embodiments employ the so-called edge-lit effect to produce a dramatic and unusual visual appearance. The metallic coupling element of Figure 12 provides a further avantage in that it reflects, ~.~44~706 rather than absorbs, the light from the lamp filament so as to enhance the projection of light in the direction outward from the tip of the lamp, which greatly enhances the brightness of the edge-lit ornament with which coupling element and lamp are combined.

Turning more specifically to Figures 12-15, the coupling element 70 is disclosed as a composite structure having an outer portion 71 of generally cylindrical shape for clamping around the socket 74 of the light 75. The outer portion 71 has slots 76 formed therein and extending parallel to the axis of coupling element. The slots 76 allow for resilient expansion of the multiple portions 78, 79, 80 and 81 of the outer portion 71 so as to accept and grip the lamp socket 74. The slots terminate short of the bottom of the outer portion 71, thereby retaining a solid cylindrical surface area at the bottom of the portion 71 which serves as a tight clamp and provides for increasing clamping action by the portions 78, 79, 80 and 81 as the lamp socket 74 is pressed into the coupling element.

The coupling element 70 also has an inner or cylindrical portion 83 of metallic heat conductive material. The lower portion 83 may have slots 84 formed therein which cooperate with an outwardly projecting shoulder 82 to allow for a snap fit of the portion 83 into an aperture of the ornament crown element 85 (Figure 13).
The lower portion 83 closely surrounds the bulb 75 when the latter is inserted into the coupling element. As thus configured, the coupling element 70 acts as a heat sinX by conducting the heat of the bulb 75 through the lower (36 portion 83 and then to the larger upper portion 71. Heat reaching the portion 71 is carried away by normal convection air currents. Unlike rubber, polypropylene and other grommet materials, the metallic coupling element 70 will not expand, soften or mélt from the heat of the bulb 75, and the lamp itself will burn cooler due to the avoidance of heat entrapment within the bulb.

Figure 14 illustrates the use of the ~oupling elemént and:light assembly in combination with an edge-lit acrylic or glass ornament similar to that shown in Figure 4 and discussed above. The assembly includes a display portion 12a of glass, acrylic or the like, a dome-shaped crown element 85, typically of metal and having an ornamental handle 86, and the aforesaid coupling element 70. The display portion 12a has a design or scene 87 etched therein and has beveled edges 88 extending around the outer periphery. The beveled edges 88 are also etched so as to disperse the light entering from the top. At the top of the display portion 12a is an upwardly converging tip element 89 (shown in phantom lines) which is molded so as to nest within the dome-shaped crown element 85 and be secured therein through riction or with the aid o~ a suitable adhesive. A recessed area 90 is formed in the tip element 89 to receive the protruding bulb 75 and thereby accept light from the bulb to illuminate the display portion 12a. In accordance with known edge-lighting principles, the light is dispersed only in the etched portions 87 and 88 of the display portion 12a, making those portions appear illuminated to a much higher degree than the remainder o the display portion. The ~ %~1~j'706 heat dissipating capabilities of the coupling element 70 are particularly well utilized in the ornament configuration of Figure 14, where the air space for heat dissipation within the crown element 85 is minimal. Not only is heat able to escape through the coupling element 70 itself, but the coupling element 70 is additionally coupled thermally to the metal crown element 85 for further heat dissipation.

- A simplified use of the coupling element 70 is shown in Figure 15, wherein it is coupled to an ornament in the shape of a snow-covered house 95 and facilitates the provision of light to the house in a novel and attractive fashion.

Figures 5 and 6 show the construction of the connector unit 24 and its relationship to the socket 13.
The socket 13 has a conventional construction, and it includes a hollow housing 52 of insulating materlal with a pair of contacts 53 and 54 mounted therein at diametrically opposed positions, such contacts being connected to the conductors 25 and 26 of the string 17.
The illustrated connector unit 24 includes a support member 56 of insulating material on which a base member 57 is mounted, the illustrated base member 57 having a construction like that of the lamp of base member 32 of 2S the assembly at the opposite end of the connector 15. The support member 56 has two parallel longitudinally extending openings therethrough, separated by a wall portion 58 and arranged to receive a pair of contact blades 59 and 60. At one end, the blades 59 and 60 are 12~tj'7~)~

secured to stripped ends of the conductors 21 and 22. At the opposite end, the blades 59 and 60 are bent back around the outside of the base member 57 for engagement with the contacts 53 and 54 of the socket 13.

Eigure 7 is a plan view of the blade 59, before assembly, it being understood that the blade 60 has the -same construction. Blade S9 has a first pair of ears 61 and 62 and a second pair of ears 63 and 64 projecting transversely therefrom, arranged to be crimped around the atripped end of the conductor 21 prior to àssembly. After securing both blades to the conductors 21 and 22, they may be inserted into the support member 56 with the opposite ends of the blades 59 and 60 projecting therefrom, as shown in Figùre 8. Then the assembly may be inserted into the base member 57 to cause the ends of the blades 59 and 60 to project therefrom, as shown in Figure 9. Then the blades may be bent back around the outside of the base member 57, as shown in Figure 10.

The end of the support member 56 which is inserted into the base member 57 has a reduced diameter to permit such insertion, the opposite end being of larger diameter to allow for larger internal spaces 65 and 66 which accommodate the connections between the blades and the conductors 25 and 26 and also to provide a shoulder 67 Z5 which may abut the end of the base member 57. Also, a stepped configuration is preferably provided with a second shoulder 6B spaced from the shoulder 67. This arrangement provides for a reasonably close fit between the support member 56 and the outer end of the base member 57. At the ~2~'706 same time, it allows for the use of the assembly for smaller sizes of lamps.

Figure 11 shows the plug assembly of the connector unit 24 installed in a base member 69 of smaller size than that illustrated in Figures 5, 6 and 8-lO, for use when the sockets of the string are designed for smaller types of lamps. To accommodate the vast majority of commonly used types and sizes of lamps, the terminal , s,ection of,the support member 56, ,between the shoulder,68 and the terminal end of the member 56, preferably has a diameter of on the order of 0.15 inches and a length of on the order of .185 inches. The intermediate section between the shoulders 67 and 68 preferably has a diameter of on the order of .205 inches and a length of on the order of 0.1 inches. The blades 59 and 60 preferably have a thickness of on the order of 0.01 inches and may, for example, be of 7030 brass (soft to quarter hard).

It will be understood that modifications and variations may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts of this invention.

WE CLAIM:

Claims (14)

1. In combination:
a decorative ornament with an aperture therein for receiving an electrical lamp;
a connector cable assembly for electrical connection of said decorative ornament to a string of conventional sockets for miniature Christmas lights or the like, the connector cable assembly having means at one end adapted for electrically mating with a selected one of said sockets and having an electrical socket at an opposite end adapted to receive a miniature light; and coupling means for coupling said socket of said assembly to said ornament aperture comprising a hollow cylindrical outer portion for receiving and holding the connector socket and a hollow cylindrical inner portion for extending axially beyond one end of said outer portion and receiving said miniature light, said inner portion being adapted to mate with said ornament aperture and to hold said miniature light secured in said aperture, said coupling means being constructed of a heat conductive material.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said heat conductive material is brass.

3. In combination:
a decorative ornament with an aperture therein for receiving an electrical lamp;

a connector cable assembly for electrical connection of said decorative ornament to a string of conventional sockets for miniature Christmas lights or the like, the connector assembly having means at one end adapted for electrically mating with a selected one of said sockets and having an electrical socket at an opposite end adapted to receive a miniature light; and coupling means for coupling said socket of said assembly to said ornament aperture comprising a hollow cylindrical outer portion for receiving and holding the connector socket and a hollow cylindrical inner portion for receiving said miniature light, said inner portion being adapted to mate with said ornament aperture and to hold said miniature light secured in said aperture, wherein said coupling means outer portion has a cylindrical outer wall and one end open to receive the connector socket, said outer wall having a plurality of slots therein extending parallel to the axis of the cylindrical outer portion and opening to said open end so as to allow resilient flexure of said outer wall to accept and retain the connector socket.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said slots in the outer portion wall extend only partially along said wall and wherein the remaining axial portion of said wall is solid to provide a rigid cylindrical clamping area for said connector socket.

5. The combination of claim 1 wherein said coupling means inner portion has a cylindrical wall of a smaller diameter than said outer portion and has an outwardly extending shoulder about its periphery spaced from said outer portion so as to define an area of reduced diameter adjacent said outer portion that is adapted to fit snugly within said ornament aperture.

6. The combination of claim 5 wherein said inner portion cylindrical wall has slots therein extending parallel to the axis of said inner portion so as to define discrete wall sections that flex inward as said coupling means is inserted into said ornament aperture.

7. The combination of claim 1 wherein said decorative ornament comprises a dome-shaped crown element with said ornament aperture formed therein and a decorative body portion operatively associated with said crown element so as to be illuminated by said miniature light.

8. The combination according to claim 7 wherein said body portion is a solid planar piece of clear, hard material having portions which are etched to diffusely radiate light passing through said material from the edge thereof, said crown element being coupled to the edge of said body portion so as to allow light from said lamp to illuminate said etched portions.

9. The combination of claim 7 wherein said crown element is formed of heat conductive metal and is mechanically mated to said coupling means so as to provide additional heat dissipation from the lamp.

10. A coupling element for attaching a conventional miniature Christmas light and its socket to a tree ornament which has an aperture for receiving said light, said coupling element comprising:
a hollow outer portion having a generally cylindrical shape having a first end open to receive the light socket;
and a hollow inner portion coupled to an coaxial with said outer portion and extending axially beyond one end of said outer portion, said hollow inner portion having a generally cylindrical shape and being sized to surround the miniature light itself, said hollow inner portion having means for securely engaging said tree ornament aperture as it is inserted therein, and said element being of a metal material with a high heat conductivity.

11. An ornament coupling element for attaching a conventional miniature Christmas light and its socket to a tree ornament which has an aperture for receiving said light, said coupling element comprising:
a hollow outer portion having a generally cylindrical shape having a first end open to receive the light socket;
and a hollow inner portion coupled to and coaxial with said outer portion and having a generally cylindrical shape which is sized to surround the miniature light itself, said hollow inner portion having means for securely engaging said tree ornament aperture as it is inserted therein, wherein said outer portion has a peripheral cylindrical wall with slots formed therein which extend parallel to the axis of said element and are open to said open end of the cylindrical wall, said slots defining a plurality of resilient wall portions that flex outward to receive and engage the light socket as it is inserted into the open end of said outer portion.

12. An ornament coupling element according to claim 10 wherein said inner portion has a generally cylindrical sidewall with slots formed therein that extend parallel to the axis of the element, said slots defining a plurality of wall sections adapted to flex inwardly to facilitate a compressive fit of said inner portion within said ornament aperture.

13. An ornament coupling element according to claim 12 wherein said inner portion is of a smaller diameter than said outer portion and has an outwardly projecting shoulder disposed around its periphery and spaced from the outer portion so as to define an area of reduced diameter adjacent said outer portion that is adapted to snugly fit within said ornament aperture.

14. An illuminated ornament for Christmas trees or the like comprising:
a plate-like element of clear transparent material having portions thereof which are etched to randomly disperse light entering the edge of said element;
an electrical light source; and means for coupling said light source to the edge of said plate-like element so as to effect illumination of the etched portions thereof, said ornament further including a flexible connector cable having one end electrically coupled to said light source and the other end adapted for electrical insertion into one socket of a conventional miniature tree light set.